Surgeries for Sexual Health

In most situations a surgery is the final solution. Typical surgeries associated with sexual health include permanent contraceptive methods, treatment for foreskin problems, erectile dysfunction and sex reassignment surgeries.

Vasectomy – Male sterilization

It is a surgical procedure performed in men and a permanent contraception method. The procedure involves the vas deferens are severed and sealed. It prevents the release of sperm during ejaculation. Instead of being mixed in the seminal stream, the sperms produced by testicles are absorbed into the body. Apparently it prevents pregnancy.

Pros

The most effective form of contraception

No decrease of libido

No side effects

Performed under general anesthesia

It is reversible

Cons

Should exercise more caution during sexual intercourse

There will be some kind of discomfort for a few days after surgery

When and why vasectomy

Vasectomy has nothing to do with the male reproductive health or sexual performance. It is just a form of birth control method, initiated from male counterpart. In general, most men are skeptical about vasectomy. It is considered more of an egoistic problem and many men believe it something too low to opt for vasectomy.

If you no longer want a baby in the future (already have a kid or kids) you can choose male sterilization instead of letting your partner getting sterilized.

Vasectomy is simpler than female sterilization.

Cost of Vasectomy

Vasectomy is performed in both private and government hospitals. It is performed free of cost in government hospitals and government approved private clinics.

When performed in government hospitals, Government pays from INR 1000 to INR 1500 per person to encourage men opting for the procedure.

If you opt for multispecialty clinics, the cost may vary from INR 5000 to INR 10000.

Tubectomy/ Tubal Ligation – Female sterilization

It means the ‘tubes are tied.’ It is the female sterilization surgery where the fallopian tubes are blocked or severed or clamped. Fallopian tubes carry the eggs to the uterus for fertilization. Blocking the tubes prevents eggs reaching uterus and thus prevents pregnancy. Besides, sperm cannot reach fallopian tubes.

Pros

Safe and assured birth control method (99% cases)

No pain

Can be performed immediately after child birth

Cons

Irreversible procedure

May cause hormonal imbalance

Does not guarantee prevention from STDs and STIs

Cost of the procedure

The average cost of tubal ligation is around INR 5000. Getting this procedure performed along with baby delivery reduces the cost. Sometimes overnight may be required.

Why and when

Women always seek some kind of birth control method. Be it morning after pill, regular birth control pills or hormone injections, unplanned pregnancy affects women a lot. Regular intake of birth control pills or morning after pills is quite harmful to health.

Immediately after the birth of second child (most family restrict the number of baby to two children and some restrict to one) the surgery can be performed.

It is generally performed during delivery of the second (or may be third child as the couple decide) child to prevent undergoing additional trauma.

Circumcision – The best procedure to retract the tighter foreskin

Circumcision is the simple procedure which involves surgical removal of the foreskin surrounding the tip of the penis. Sometimes men find it too hard to retract the foreskin. It obstructs the normal sex life and causes a lot of pain during intercourse. It is also performed under religious norms in younger boys.

Pros

Improves sex life

Reduces the risk of UTIs

Facilitates easy management of genital hygiene

Cons

Risk of infection

Bleeding

Improper healing

Why and when

Called as Phimosis, it is recommended in older boys and men. Circumcision is necessary in men who are unable to retract the foreskin that cover the top of the penis and to treat any infection.

Cost of the procedure

The cost of procedure range from INR 3000 to INR 5000 exclusive of medicines. It would cost approximately INR 10000 inclusive of medicines, post care visit, etc.

Frenuloplasty

It is similar to retraction of tighter skin on the penis. It involves surgical alteration of the frenulum which prevents normal range of motions between the interconnected tissues. Tighter or shorter frenulum makes any kind of sexual activity painful and causes a lot of discomfort.

Pros

Heals very quickly

Enhances the sexual sensitivity and sexual ability

Keep the foreskin intact

Cons

Risk of permanent scarring

Risk of bleeding and infection

Why and when

The short frenulum or sensitive frenulum of the penis causes a lot of discomfort during sexual activity. It may arise either due to circumcision or naturally. Short frenulum affects erection during intercourse. Men who find it difficult to retract the foreskin during erection and experience a lot of pain during sexual activity make the right candidate for this procedure.

Cost of the procedure

It is performed under local anesthesia. The patient may stay in the hospital for 2 or 3 days. The procedure costs about INR 10000 to INR 20000 inclusive of all expenses.

Labiaplasty - A cosmetic enhancement through a surgical procedure

It is a cosmetic enhancement surgery performed on women to remove the excess and enlarged tissues from labia. Sometimes, women find a lot of discomfort due to enlarged, outgrown, fatty and out-of-shape labia. Removal of the excess tissues gives a good structure to the labia.

Pros

Less painful

Provides a lot of comfort

Makes you feel good

Cons

Very expensive

Risk of scarring, numbness and severe pain

Why and when

Labioplasty is performed mainly for cosmetic reasons and a majority of women consider this a cosmetic procedure. It is not actually necessary until the excessive tissues from vagina cause pain during sex and sitting.

Cost of the procedure

It is almost a cosmetic procedure and costs from INR 30,000 to INR 60,000.

Erectile Dysfunction Surgery

ED is a common problem faced by a lot of men. Erectile dysfunction is triggered by a lot of reasons from anxiety to poor diet. Sometimes, surgery becomes the necessity to treat severe erectile dysfunction.

Blood vessel surgery - When ED is caused due to leaking blood vessels, this is prescribed. This surgery involves finding the obstruction where the blood is leaked. Identification of the accurate spot of leaking blood vessels is crucial.

Pros

Straight forward cure for ED

Cons

Improper diagnosis may cause more damage

Why and when

Any men who experience poor erection or unable to maintain erection during intercourse can opt for the surgery to treat the erectile dysfunction cause due to blocked blood vessels.

Cost of the procedure

Cost of the surgery is INR 10000 to INR 15000 and the patient may end up paying INR 25000 to INR 30000.

Penile implant – Also called as penis prosthesis, it is the least invasive surgical process to treat erectile dysfunction. Penile implants are made from inflatable and non-inflatable materials. It gives the natural appearance and provides maximum rigidity.

Pros

95 % success rates

Natural erection

Most implants come with replacement guarantee

Cons

Very expensive

Risk of infection and bleeding

Why and when

It is a form of implant used to treat erectile dysfunction. Penile implants are usually recommended only in case of severe dysfunction like curved erections.

Cost of procedure

Penile implants are very expensive. It costs a minimum of INR 60000 for implant alone, exclusive of the cost of the associated procedure and post care treatment. The overall cost may mount about 1.2 lacs to 1.5 lacs.

Surgery on the penis may appear very daunting, yet it can offer the solution to the men who struggled immensely with erectile dysfunction.

Gender reassignment surgeries

Gender reassignment or sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) performed for male – female and female – male change. The cost for the surgery for male – female varies from 2 to 5 lakhs, whereas for female – male the surgery varies from 4 – 8 lakhs. However, government hospital in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai performs the surgeries for free of cost. This is a complex procedure with series of surgeries including cosmetic surgery, hormonal treatment and psychiatric counselling. An individual should undergo 12 months of continuous hormone therapy. Sex change is a series of irreversible surgeries and treatments.